Rumour is ‘disappointed’ James McCarthy could be heading for Celtic exit door

The Celtic Star

·2 August 2022

Rumour is ‘disappointed’ James McCarthy could be heading for Celtic exit door

As with nearly everyday on the site, we try and keep everyone up to date with transfers in and out of the club. After making several additions to his squad in tandem with trimming the fat from an over-inflated wage bill, Ange Postecoglou is still on the look out for more bargains as well as moving others on.

One name that has been doing the rounds today in terms of outgoings is former Crystal Palace man James McCarthy. James arrived in the midst of our chaos last summer from the Premier League with Joe Hart as we were in desperate need of numbers in that area and he was readily available at the time.

OneFootball Videos

GLASGOW – lr James McCarthy Celtic FC, Ernest Poku of AZ during the Europa League play-offs match between Celtic FC and AZ Alkmaar at Celtic Park on August 18, 2021

Many questioned the singing due to his wage demands, injury record and ability to play in Ange Postecoglou’s system in the engine room. He duly signed for his boyhood club and was ecstatic to finally walk through those gates at Parkhead as a Celtic player. He revealed that it was a big moment for him and his family, who were all massive supporters of the club.

Things haven’t gone at all to plan since then though. After sustaining an injury and playing catch-up after having little to no pre-season training under his belt last summer, he then contracted Covid-19 which set the tough tackler back even more than before. When he has gotten the odd cameo he has never looked fully comfortable in the side and he would probably admit that.

Livingston v Celtic – cinch Premiership – Tony Macaroni Arena Celtic s James McCarthy left in action during the cinch Premiership match at the Tony Macaroni Arena, Livingston. Sunday September 19, 2021. Photo: Andrew Milligan

With Celtic still in the market for a defensive midfielder supposedly and the addition of Aaron Mooy, it’s hard to see where James will fit in and get minutes moving forward. He was dropped from the bench at the weekend as the Hoops opened their account for the new cinch Premiership league season, winning 2-0 against Aberdeen.

Now rumours have surfaced that the former Republic of Ireland cap is searching for a new club heading into the final weeks of the summer transfer window. Twitter account Celtic Underground claimed he is attracting admiring glances from various quarters and have Sunderland as the most keen, who are now coached by ex-Hamilton player and boss, Alex Neil.

Photo: Andrew Milligan

There has been more weight added to this rumour since then, with journalist Fraser Fletcher wading in and claiming he was told that McCarthy is not happy at the moment and wishes to explore his options in pursuit of more game time. Whether the veracity of these rumours is true remains to be seen but he certainly a player that needs to move on for the sake of his career.

Suggestion that Sunderland might be keen on McCarthy.
– Tuesday, 2 August 2022

🚨 James McCarthy is looking to move after a difficult time at Celtic. Im told the 31 year old is dissapointed with how things have gone and seeking a new challenge for the season . Interest is there and some offers being prepared. McCarthy has contract until 2025 in Glasgow 🟢
– Tuesday, 2 August 2022